SOPMOD

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The Special Operations Peculiar MODification (SOPMOD) kit is an accessory system for the M4A1 carbine, CQBR, FN SCAR Mk 16/17, HK416 and other weapons used by United States Special Operations Command (USSOCOM) special forces units, though it is not specific to SOCOM. The kit allows US Special Operations Forces (US SOF) personnel to configure their weapons to individual preferences and customize for different mission requirements.

The program dates back to September 1989, when the Special Operations Special Technology (SOST) Modular Close Combat Carbine Project was founded. This was the first program to standardize components from the 1970s/1980s era of "duct tape and hose clamps". The Material Need Statement (MNS) was signed in May 1992 and, by September 1993, the Operational Requirements Document (ORD) for the program was validated. Responsibility for the program was then assigned to the Naval Surface Warfare Center Crane Division.[1][2]

The SOPMOD kit is composed mostly of non-developmental items and commercial off-the-shelf (NDI/COTS) accessories packaged together to support four M4A1 carbines.[1][3] It allows for the attachment of any Picatinny compatible accessory that fits the length of the weapon.

Block I

[edit]
SOPMOD Block I

The original SOPMOD Block I kit included the following:

Only two of following were included per kit:

Only one of the following was included per kit:

  • M203A1 Grenade Launcher with a 9-inch barrel
  • KAC M203 Grenade Launcher Quick Release Front Bracket
  • Quick-attach M203 Grenade Launcher Leaf Sight
  • Insight AN/PEQ-5 Carbine Visible Laser (CVL)
  • Insight AN/PAQ-4 Infrared Aiming Light
  • AN/PVS-17A Mini- Night Vision Sight
  • AN/PSQ-18A M203 Day/Night Sight
  • Carrying/storage case for kit accessories

Part of the SOPMOD Block I (but not always issued with kits):

  • Gas-deflecting charging handles (presumably the PRI M84 Gas Buster Charging Handle with Military Big Latch)
  • Extraction Parts Set #2
  • Redi-Mag
  • Lewis Machine and Tool Company (LMT) / B5 Systems Sloping Cheekweld Stock
  • Ambidextrous Selector Switch
  • Visible Bright Light II (VBL II) (based on the older gen Surefire M962C model, replacement for the Insight VLI)[5]
  • High Reliability Magazines (HRM) steel and aluminum[3][6]

If more of the accessories are needed, it is typical for units to "cannibalize" the kits of inactive teams. The documentation for the kit does not require a rewrite if improved replacements for any of the current items can be found. As a result, this content list has changed over time. Several potential additions include the KAC Masterkey Shotgun, the M26 Modular Accessory Shotgun System, and the M320 grenade launcher.[3] Also, various EOTech holographic sights, prominently EOTech 551s and 552s are used on many SOPMOD configured M4s.

Block I Phased Replacements

[edit]
SOPMOD Block I Phased Replacements
  • Daniel Defense M4A1 RIS II (Rail Interface System), GL/SSC RIS II (Grenade Launcher/Sound Suppressor Capable), and MK18 RIS II (with FSP (front sight post) variations) free-float handguards[7][8][9][10]
  • Insight M3X VBL III Gun Light (SU-233/PVS), replacement for the VBL II
  • Insight M6X VBL III Integrated Gun Light (SU-238/PVS), replacement for the VBL II
  • EOTech 553 Holographic Weapon Sight (SU-231/PEQ)
  • Trijicon ACOG TA31ECOS 4x Scope + Docter Miniature Red Dot (MRD) (SU-237/PVS)[11]
  • AN/PVS-17 Product Improvement Kit
  • BUIS II[12]

Block II

[edit]

The MDNS (Miniature Day-Night Sight) program included the Block I Phased Replacement components and the Block II components[12]

  • Daniel Defense M4A1 RIS II (Rail Interface System), GL/SSC RIS II (Grenade Launcher/Sound Suppressor Capable), and MK18 RIS II (with FSP (front sight post) variations) free-float handguards[7][8][9][10]
  • Insight M3X VBL III Gun Light (SU-233/PVS), replacement for the VBL II
  • Insight M6X VBL III Integrated Gun Light (SU-238/PVS), replacement for the VBL II
  • Insight WMX 200 Tactical Weapon Light
  • EOTech 553 Holographic Weapon Sight (SU-231/PEQ)
  • EOTech EXPS3-0 Holographic Weapon Sight (SU-231A/PEQ)[13]
  • AN/PVS-17 Product Improvement Kit
  • BUIS II[12]
  • Insight LA-5C/PEQ ATPIAL (Advanced Target Pointer Illuminator Aiming Laser), an ultra high-powered variant of the AN/PEQ-15
  • Insight CNVD-T Thermal Sight (SU-232/PAS)[12]
  • EOTech M40GL Grenade Launcher Sight (SU-253/PEQ ECOS-GL)[14]
  • Elcan SpecterDR 1-4x Scope + Docter MRD (SU-230/PVS)
  • Trijicon ACOG TA31ECOS 4x Scope + Docter MRD (SU-237/PVS)[11]
  • Insight AN/PVS-24 Clip-On Night Vision Device-Image Intensified (CVND-I2)[12]
US Army 75th Rangers using multiple Block II accessories on their rifles at night. Note the Insight WMX 200 light mounted on the rifle of the operator on the right.

References

[edit]
  1. ^ a b "Special Operations Peculiar Modification (SOPMOD) Kit". GlobalSecurity.org. Archived from the original on April 16, 2022.
  2. ^ a b Taylor, Gus (May 15, 2003). "SOPMOD Program Overview". NDIA. Archived from the original on June 3, 2022. Retrieved June 3, 2022.
  3. ^ a b c Rottman, Gordon L. (2011). The M16. Botley, Oxford, UK: Osprey Publishing. pp. 45–46. ISBN 978-1849086905. Retrieved June 3, 2022.
  4. ^ "US Marine Corps Intends To Sole Source Knights Armament Co NT-4 Suppressor". Soldier Systems Daily. July 14, 2020. Archived from the original on September 3, 2020. Retrieved June 3, 2022.
  5. ^ "5855-01-501-3081 (M952NXM07) Data". Part Target. Archived from the original on June 26, 2022. Retrieved June 26, 2022.
  6. ^ Taylor IV, Lucius A. "Gus"; Glenn, Eric; Campion, Tucker (April 17, 2006). "SOPMOD PROGRAM OVERVIEW For the National Defense Industrial Association Small Arms Symposium" (PDF). Defense Technical Information Center. Archived from the original (PDF) on September 13, 2014. Retrieved June 3, 2022.
  7. ^ a b "MK18 RAIL INTERFACE SYSTEM II, RIS II (FDE)". Daniel Defense. Archived from the original on September 22, 2020. Retrieved June 24, 2022.
  8. ^ a b "M4A1 RAIL INTERFACE SYSTEM II, RIS II (BLACK)". Daniel Defense. Archived from the original on May 29, 2022. Retrieved June 24, 2022.
  9. ^ a b "M4A1 FSP RAIL INTERFACE SYSTEM, RIS II (BLACK)". Daniel Defense. Archived from the original on May 29, 2022. Retrieved June 24, 2022.
  10. ^ a b "Rare Sighting Of A Daniel Defense GL/SSC RIS II". Soldier Systems Daily. October 20, 2016. Archived from the original on May 14, 2021. Retrieved June 24, 2022.
  11. ^ a b "1240-01-540-1186 (TA31ECOS) Data". Part Target. Archived from the original on June 10, 2022. Retrieved June 24, 2022.
  12. ^ a b c d e Taylor IV, Lucius A. "Gus"; Gatewood, Barry (May 8, 2007). "USSOCOM SOPMOD - Miniature Day/Night Sight Development Program" (PDF). NDIA. Archived from the original (PDF) on June 4, 2022. Retrieved June 4, 2022.
  13. ^ Gurwitch, Scott (June 2017). "History of SOPMOD, Part II". SWAT. Archived from the original on June 5, 2022. Retrieved June 5, 2022.
  14. ^ Pittman v. L-3 Communications EOTech, Inc., 2:16-cv-11051-NGE-EAS (E.D. Mich. 22 March 2016), archived from the original on 2020-09-25.
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